Embassy of Kazakhstan in India has contributed to the preservation of the history of the Kazakh people and its statehood

On 25 January 2018 by the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of India in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, Srinagar city, two events of great importance for preserving the history of the Kazakh people were held.

On this day, with the support and participation of the Archaeological Survey of India, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to India Bulat Sarsenbayev held the solemn opening of the restored grave of Muhammed Haidar Dulati, the outstanding son of the Kazakh steppes, representative of the ancient Kazakh tribe Dulat, a prominent politician and historian, which book “Tarih-i-Rashidi” contained a lot of information about the formation of the Kazakh Khanate, as well as the events of that time took place on Kazakhstan territory and Kashmir.

In addition, an informational desk both in English and Urdu was installed near the grave, to inform the visitors of the Cemetery “Mazar-i-Salatin” (cemetery of the Sultans of the Empire of the Great Moguls) about the outstanding Kazakh politician, historian, his life and background. The text of the informational desk was prepared by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in India together with the staff of Taraz State University named after Muhammed Haidar Dulati (Kazakhstan).

The restoration of the grave of Mirza Muhammed Haidar Dulati, as well as the preparation and installation of the informational desk, were the result of more than two years of work that Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India Bulat Sarsenbayev started after his visit to Kashmir in September 2015, when he saw the bad condition of the last refuge of a man whose works are invaluable in defining the history of Kazakh statehood.“The process of obtaining permits, determining the responsible institution, working and agreeing on the text of the informational desk took more than two years. As a result, with the full support of the Government of India represented by the Archaeological Survey of India, we have managed to pay tribute to the great son of our people and his activities”, the Kazakh diplomat said after the opening ceremony.

At the same day, on the initiative of the Embassy and with the support of the Centre of Central Asian Studies of the Kashmir University, the international conference “Muhammed Haidar Dulati: the golden bridge between India and Kazakhstan” was held.

The delegation of the Taraz State University named after Muhammed Haidar Dulati, led by Rector Mahmetgali Sarybekov and Director of the Institute of Oriental studies of the Academy of Science of Kazakhstan Absattar Derbisali visited India to attend the conference. The delegation also included professors and students of the university.

The moderators of the conference were Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India Bulat Sarsenbayev and director of the Centre of Central Asian Studies of Kashmir University prof. G.N. Kahki. The following guests took part in the conference as guests of honor: Superintending Archaeologist of Archaeological Survey of India, Srinagar Circle Dr. Vasant Kumar Swarnakar, Director of the Department of Tourism of the State of Jammu and Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah and Vice-Chancellor of Kasmir University Prof. Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi.

In addition, more than 100 representatives of various scientific institutions of India participated in the conference.

Professors of Kashmir University and Taraz State University presented their papers on the life and works of Mirza Muhammed Haidar Dulati, as well as on significance of his activity, both for the history of Kazakhstan and for the development of relations between Kazakhstan and India.

The conference was opened with the concert prepared by the students of Taraz State University named after Muhammed Haidar Dulati Kazakh folk songs and music were played.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan, in his speech, thanked for the help of everyone who was involved both in the restoration of the grave of Mirza Muhammed Haidar Dulati, and in organizing the conference, told how important the books of the great historian are for the formation of the history of Kazakhstan. In turn, director of the Centre of Central Asian Studies of Kashmir University prof. G.N. Kahki in his speech expressed the hope that the work done will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries. In addition, the Vice-Chancellor of Kasmir University expressed his desire to further develop cooperation with the Taraz University.

Also, using the platform of the conference, in his speech the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of India informed the audience on the current level of bilateral relations, the developing of strategic partnership between our countries, that Kazakhstan is currently the 2nd largest trade partner of India amongthe post-Soviet countries. He reported that Kazakhstan for India is a real partner, providing stable support to India on international platforms, especially during the period of non-permanent membership of Kazakhstan in the UN Security Council.

In addition, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of developing relations between higher educational institutions of the two countries. Such kind of cooperation is among of the main points of the Address of the President of Kazakhstan to the people for 2018. In order to familiarize the audience with the internal and foreign policy of Kazakhstan for 2018, the Embassy staff prepared and distributed printed brochures with the text of the last Address of President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Also, as the conclusion of the conference, Memorandum of understanding on cooperation was signed between the Taraz State University and Kashmir University.